The invention relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator. The method comprises the steps of establishing a time interval of a certain duration, a first use of the refrigerator starting a first time interval, starting a subsequent time interval based on the start of the first time interval, and subtracted a time difference. The subsequent time interval subtracted a time difference is being used for starting a cool-down period of the subsequent time interval. The invention also relates to a control unit for the refrigerator and to a refrigerator with such control unit.